Windows

Question

PC Issue: Freezes at Windows Welcome Screen (Win XP Home SP2)

My friend's computer that I am working on freezes now at the Windows welcome screen (or like 5 minutes after logging in). A light blue/white screen would show up on the monitor and nothing else happens. After it freezes, if I reset the computer, once it gets to post, it has 4 beeps (AMI BIOS AFAIK, searched for info on AWARD BIOS just to be sure), that means "Timer not Operational" aka [Bad Motherboard]. It works fine the first time until the freezing occurs and then after a reset, I get the 4 beeps. If I wait for five minutes and turn it back on, it posts normally and starts the process all over again. I swapped the video card to the second PCI-E slot, and after 5 mins, the computer just turned itself off. We replaced many parts because of a no video issue before.We upgraded the video card, the cpu heatsink, the PSU, and the ram and we placed in a new motherboard of the same design.I am double checking the BIOS but I guess it is either Award or AMI. The Award BIOS says that 1 long beep and 3 shorts beeps mean something is wrong with the video card/adapter or the ram. What should I do? I have HijackThis and EVEREST Home logs available if someone needs to see them. I also recorded the beeps if anybody would like to hear them. The 1 long beep is about 2 second and the 3 short beeps are about 1 second each. Thank you.

RAM, Mobo

I had one stick of RAM along with the other basic components and it froze at the Wndows Welcome Screen.

I figured it out. It was shorting on the case. Once I benched everything it worked fine. But there is a new problem, once I place all 4 RAM sticks in, the computer doesn't boot, it doesn't even post. It just doesn't work. I would like to know why? Also what is the best method for putting a motherboard back in the case in order to prevent shorting?

Windows Freezing

Have you tried booting into safe mode? I would also do what the previous response recommended taking out the memory one stick at a time and see if you can boot normally. Also check that the board is not shorting to the case.

RAM, Mobo

I figured it out. It was shorting on the case. Once I benched everything it worked fine. But there is a new problem, once I place all 4 RAM sticks in, the computer doesn't boot, it doesn't even post. It just doesn't work. I would like to know why? Also what is the best method for putting a motherboard back in the case in order to prevent shorting?

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